A solicitor shared advice for those looking to protect their assets when they’re in a relationship – and it could save you a lot of trouble in case of a break-up
Finances can be tough to sort out when you break up with someone you’ve been with for a long time – especially when it’s not on good terms.
But what happens if one person in the relationship owns the home? The question of who gets the house and whether the other person has any rights to it can complicate matters further.
Thankfully though, there is plenty of handy advice out there. The Legal Queen, a family law solicitor in England and Wales, explained that if the house is solely in your name, then whether your ex partner is entitled to anything depends on several factors.
“That would depend on whether the other person has made a significant financial contribution,” she clarified.
She added: “If they haven’t made a significant financial contribution, then they’re gonna have no claim. If they’ve helped you, for example, pay off the mortgage, or they’ve invested heavily into the property to increase the value of the property, then yes, they may well be able to make a claim.”
In another video, The Legal Queen shared advice on how to protect your property if you invite a partner to move in with you. If it comes down to it, it could prevent them from being entitled to the house if you split up.
She said: “Make sure if you own your own property, and you decide to move your partner in that you have sufficient protection in place so that if the relationship breaks down, your partner cannot make a claim to your property.”
But how? Firstly, she advised keeping all finances separate, which means no joint accounts.
Then, she suggested having your partner pay you money, rather than them paying the mortgage directly – this way, there’s evidence of their financial contribution to the property.
Her third tip was: “Don’t have them invest significant funds into the property,” such as installing new windows or a heating system, as this gives them a “beneficial interest”.
She then recommended securing a “cohabitation agreement” because it’s “going to really help you” if the relationship ends and your ex-partner claims “an interest”. “We can refer back to the deed, which makes clear your intention that the property was never going to be shared with them,” she added.
If you’re grappling with a legal issue, seek advice from a solicitor. While the TikTok video provides useful background information, an expert can offer more tailored advice when you book an appointment.